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Macfarlanes

In this profile

About Macfarlanes

Macfarlanes is a leading city law firm with a straightforward, independently-minded approach. The driving force behind the firm is an absolute commitment to delivering the right advice in the right way to our clients.

The size of our firm is important. We've kept things simple. We've decided against growth at the expense of quality, against size at the expense of efficiency and agility. So whilst we're large enough to advise on the most complex matters, we're also small enough to ensure that our people and our work are exceptional without fail.

Training Contract

Woven into every aspect of life at the firm is an enduring commitment to the development of trainees.

Training begins with tailored electives on the LPC at BPP with regular seminars and social events at the firm, along with the support and advice from a trainee mentor.

As a trainee you will complete four six-month seats in different practice areas including a compulsory seat in corporate and M&A. In each seat you will share a room with a partner or solicitor who supervises and supports you. You will also be assigned a partner who will act as your mentor throughout your training contract.

Vacation Scheme

The vacation scheme gives you a two-week snapshot of life as a trainee.

You will be given hands-on experience, enabling you to develop a real understanding of the firm’s culture and work. You will spend each of your two weeks with us in a different practice area, working alongside a partner, solicitor or trainee.

There are many opportunities to get to know people throughout the firm and to find out if Macfarlanes is right for you.

What we're looking for

We believe the strongest firm is achieved by choosing a mix of people reflecting different styles as to meet the needs that we - and our varied range of clients - will have in the future. We look for a rare combination of intellectual curiosity, character and drive. We are looking for ambitious trainees who will thrive on responsibility and challenge and who are ready to begin their careers on day one.

We welcome applications from candidates with either a law or non-law background with outstanding academics, who expect, or have achieved, a 2:1 degree or above.

Career development

Your training contract at Macfarlanes will combine hands-on experience with a first class education programme. Once you begin your training contract you will follow an intensive schedule of seminars and lectures, presented largely by partners or senior solicitors from within the firm.

Each of your seats will feature a mid-seat and end-of-seat review, where you can discuss your progress and which areas need focus. Throughout your contract you will also have six-monthly reviews with your principal, who acts as a mentor, and a member of the trainee solicitor committee. All these mechanisms are there to ensure that you get the best and most appropriate experience during these first years.